BE BOLD • BE CONFIDENT • BE FABULOUS

#OOTD : MEN IN KILT

When we were young, we were taught with the perception that pants are for Boys while dresses and skirts are for girls. As we grow older, due to fashion trends, practicality and also the feminist movement, trousers become a wardrobe staple amongst women as well HOWEVER, even in today’s trends driven society with edgy fashion designers such as Rick Owens, Jean Paul Gaultier, JW Anderson, Commes Des Garcon frequently showing numerous versions of skirts and dresses in their collections; skirts and dresses is often not considered a clothing item for men.
It is ironic because looking back at fashion history, Skirts and Dresses is often worn by men in cultures all around the world. Back in Ancient Times, a Shendyt – a skirt similar to a sarong or loin cloth is a wardrobe staple for men. In Japan, the Hakama – a long trapeze skirt is traditionally designed for men to wear during formal occasions such as tea ceremonies, weddings and funerals. In China and Hong Kong we have the traditional Chang Shan – a floor length robe which is still popular amongst men of all age to wear during Chinese New Year and who can forget the Scottish Kilt – still a wardrobe staple for men to wear to formal occasions in European Countries today. It wasn’t until the 20th Century, in a male dominated society which tailored pants with suits replaced the skirts and defined power and masculine for men. It is interesting because some how it felt like with the invention of trousers, the “gender” of skirts is passed on to women until the 80s punk culture and the kilt became a fashion item for men again. Which is why with my facination with androgyny, I’ve decided to attempt the skirt as my #ootd for a recent fashion event.
I’ve worn a lot of skirts in the past but usually they are long and also I haven’t had a edgy “punk” ish #ootd for a very long time, so as soon as I saw this red tartan kilt in the recent Versus collection, it became the starting point for this outfit. Unlike the model, I wanted to wear it the traditional way without the matching trousers so I wanted to keep the rest of the outfit relatively simple but edgy with a Black and white shirt, a pair of laced up boots and my Bambi backpack by Givenchy. A pair of plaid socks gives a nod to the kilt and also kept it masculine. The result felt surprisingly masculine (for me because you all know I love my prints, hotpinks and plunging V neckline) but the only downfall is I wore this on a windy day so the kept flying up- style sisters: my respect for you increased 200% after that day.
Without further Doodahs, Here are the photos.